Earlier this year Aimee Lou Wood said that “several years ago” she was diagnosed with ADHD with autistic traits. Culture magazine: “I've been advised to get tested for autism, they think autism may be to blame and ADHD is almost a byproduct of the disguise.”
Aimee also explained that throughout her childhood she exhibited neurodivergent traits, but these were dismissed as social anxiety and extreme shyness.
About his diagnosis in an interview with the magazine Radio Times in September, Aimee said: “I don't need everyone to understand me. People who understand me understand me. Anxiety and feelings of inadequacy come from trying to live up to other people's expectations, but what's especially touching is that when I unmask, other people do too.”
“The fatigue and shame comes from hiding things, but it's liberating when you say, 'My brain doesn't work that way,'” she added at the time. “When I was growing up, I felt a deep need to be ‘normal,’ but then I realized that all the people I loved, all the people I admired, were weird—even my favorite characters, like Jane Eyre.”
And now Aimee has explained how her ADHD diagnosis has helped her understand exactly what she needs to thrive – and she's no longer afraid to tell other people about it.
This includes moments when she's at work: Amy remembers how she stood up for herself when she was struggling to film a scene for her upcoming film. Anxious peoplewho also plays the main role Angelina Jolie.
Talking to Harpers BazaarAmy said she felt herself starting to panic when several different crew members started yelling at her while filming an emotional scene.
She firmly told them that in order to focus, she needed “one direction, one voice, no hand movements in sight,” and Amy also revealed how sweet industry veteran Angelina was at encouraging her to speak up.
“I spent years feeling unable to say anything like that for fear of appearing controversial,” Aimee told the publication. “But now I feel like I can take responsibility for what I need to thrive and tell people what won’t work for me.”
“When I spoke up, all I saw was Angelina giving me a thumbs up,” she continued. “She may be the most famous woman in the world, but she's so normal.”
I'm so glad to hear that Aimee had Ange in this case – let me know what you think in the comments below!
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